Jefferson Area High School is a cool school!

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JEFFERSON - Falcon pride is showing at Jefferson Area High School after being named this week’s Fox 8 Cool School.

Academics take priority here. In their sophomore year, students chose a vocational or a college prep path. There are college credit classes -- as well as advance placement courses in math and sciences. “It gives the student who really wants to excel an opportunity that most students wouldn't have. AP classes, they simulate a college course. So, we’re given college workload,” senior Michael Nelson said.

Students are involved in co-curricular activities before and after school. Members of the scholastic bowl team are ready to answer questions and have become Ashtabula County champions. Members of Model UN compete using their knowledge of world events and debate skills. "A lot of us in the Model UN program are younger and we are so interested in what's happening. We want to make a difference in our world,” freshman Kate Brand said.

Jefferson Area High School has an award-winning band that recently earned the highest score at districts. "Right now we're working on tone quality and tuning and those kind of things. And, we are just really excited to see how well we can do at state,” senior Arden Bishop added.

Jefferson Area High School has partnered with the Cleveland Institute of Art with enrichment programs. "It’s mainly a school for betterment. You come into the classroom and it's a really open atmosphere -- something that you can really express yourself in,” junior Jordan Brown said.

Both the baseball and softball teams are looking to build on their past winning ways. “Last year, we were state qualifier. We were in the Final Four. We unfortunately lost. This year we are going to work hard so we can try to make our town proud again," senior softball player Kaycee Fusco said.

Last year, the baseball team made it to the District Championship. “We ended up losing unfortunately. But, this year we have unfinished business and we plan to go to the next level," senior baseball player Brandon Reinke added.

From academics, the arts and athletics, Jefferson Area High School strives to provide its students a well-rounded education. And, that goes a long way in making it a “Cool School.”